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GM Crops Are Less Profitable Than Normal Crops

Previous studies into the economics of growing GM crops have concentrated on the farmers who have taken up the technology, but the latest research looked at a wider area, including non-GM fields that may have benefited from being near fields planted with GM varieties.GM maize, which is called corn in the US, has a bacterial gene called “Bt” added to it so that the plant excretes a protein which has a toxic effect on the European corn borer, a serious insect pest introduced accidentally into America in 1917.

Nearly two-thirds of the US corn belt is now cultivated with Bt maize, and it has had a dramatic impact on the decline of the corn borer moth, which cannot distinguish between the GM and conventional varieties. When female moths lay their eggs on Bt corn, the larvae die within two days of hatching.

Paul Mitchell, an agricultural economist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where the work was carried out, said the main corn-growing states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska experienced a total economic benefit of $6.9bn (£4.6bn) over the period from 1996 to 2009 as a result of less maize being lost to the corn-borer pest.

But the non-GM corn areas accounted for 62 per cent of this total economic benefit because, in addition to preventing crop losses resulting from lower levels of pests, these farmers did not have to spend any extra money on the technology fees associated with the purchase of GM maize.

P.S. It’s not exactly a well kept secret that the algebraic formula for Laissez Faire economics is revenue less cost = profit. That revenue has to come from SOMEBODY’s pocket. And that, apparently, is the definition of “sucker”.

Butter Knife

Or “employee”, take your pick.

Liam_McGonagle

Sure, you’re all lookin’ at it the wrong way: It’s less profitable only for the FARMERS. Archer Daniels Midland is doin’ just fine, thank you much!

P.S. It’s not exactly a well kept secret that the algebraic formula for Laissez Faire economics is revenue less cost = profit. That revenue has to come from SOMEBODY’s pocket. And that, apparently, is the definition of “sucker”.

http://voxmagi-necessarywords.blogspot.com/ VoxMagi

9 out of 10 farmers from India would agree…the ones who haven’t committed suicide to escape crushing debt from overpiced, single-use seeds that is.

http://voxmagi-necessarywords.blogspot.com/ VoxMagi

9 out of 10 farmers from India would agree…the ones who haven’t committed suicide to escape crushing debt from overpiced, single-use seeds that is.